In response to overwhelming support by NCAA Division III coaches, the American Football Coaches Association began publishing a Division III Top 25 Coaches’ Poll in 1999.
Prior to 1999, there were no coaches’ polls for any NCAA divisions other than Football Bowl Subdivision. The NCAA had published a regional poll for Division III prior to 1999, but discontinued the poll because of changes in the selection process for the Division III playoffs that took effect in 1999.
The regional poll had been used to rank teams for consideration for the 16-team playoff tournament. But in 1999, the Division III playoffs expanded to 28 teams and the regional format was no longer used.
The weekly release of the Division II and III polls each Monday makes that day, on average, the busiest day of the week each month on the AFCA website during September, October and November.
Poll Format
The Division III poll follows the same basic format as the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. The 2009 Division III Board of Coaches will have 40 voters, representing all Division III conferences.
The Division III Coaches’ Poll will be released on Mondays beginning on September 21 and will run through the completion of the regular season in mid-November. A final poll will be released on the Monday following the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.
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